This is a typical box score (sans the listings for the opposing team):

At the very top of this truncated example (but likely in the middle of an actual box score), probably most recognizable to all fans, is the line score. This is a listing of the scores of the match by game. The home team is listed below the visiting team.

The large table in the middle is where your eyes start to glaze over if you don’t know what you’re looking at! On the far left is the section which lists the players and jersey numbers. The first six names listed are the starters for that match. The remaining names are players that were substituted in during the match.

Now we get into the abbreviations!

- GP: the number of games played in the match by each player.

- K: An attack is a player sending the ball over the net in an attempt to score. A kill is recorded whenever an attack is unreturnable. A kill always results in point.

- E: An error is recorded when an attack attempt gives the opposition a point. Examples of an attack error include an opponent blocking the attack for a point or a player hitting the ball out of bounds. An attack error always results in a point for the other team.

- TA: Total attempts simply equals the total numbers of kills, errors, and zero attacks (a zero attack is when when the opposition keeps the ball in play after an attack – these are not listed separately in the box score).

- PCT: Hitting percentage is derived from this formula:
(KILLS – ERRORS) / TOTAL ATTEMPTS = HITTING PERCENTAGE.

- A: An assist assist is given when a player sends the ball (via a set, dig, or pass) to a teammate who then gets a kill.

-SA: A service ace is awarded when a serve can not be returned and results in a point, or when a serve leads to a violation by the opponent that results in a point.

- SE: A service error is charged when the serve is unsuccessful. Examples include: when the serve does not clear the net or lands out of bounds, or when the server commits an error, such as foot faulting.

- RE: A reception error is when a player receiving the serve messes up. This could be by making an unplayable pass after receiving the serve, letting the serve hit the floor nearby or committing an infraction while taking the serve. The reception error is charged to the team if the serve lands between two players who could have taken it or if the receiving team is out of rotation. It is important to note that any time an ace is recorded by the serving team, a reception error must be charged to the receiving team.

- DIG: A statistical dig is given anytime an attack is successfully defended. The dig can be passed to another player or sent back over the net. A dig that is not kept in play is not awarded in the stats.

- BS: A block solo is given when a player successfully blocks an attack attempt for a score by themselves.

- BA: If more than one player goes up to block, even if only one of the players touches the ball, and the block results in a point then each player receives a block assist.

- BE: A blocking error occurs when the blocker commits an error that causes the referee to whistle the play dead. Note that a blocked ball going out of bounds or into the net is not a blocking error. Blocking errors include a blocker: reaching over the net, going into the net, throwing the ball, etc. A blocking error results in a kill for the attacker.

- BHE: Ball handling errors include double hits, lifted balls, and thrown balls unless they fall under the reception errors, attack errors, or blocking errors listed above.

The last stat to note is the total team blocks. It is calculated using this formula:
BLOCK SOLOS + (1/2 x BLOCK ASSISTS) = TOTAL TEAM BLOCKS

The rest of the box score contains the opponents stats, team stats derived from the above individual categories, and information about the game venue.

Hopefully this was watered down enough for the causal fan to get not only a better understanding of just what those blocks of numbers mean but also give a greater sense of appreciation for the game while watching live as well.